Africa Time

Well, I was not expecting for it to take me 2 weeks to make my first update. I have found that hot water and power are not givens, let alone internet access. Guess I am also learning how to live on Africa time. Schedules are basically a framework to start with and the actual timing of events evolves as you go. My team and I have adopted the flexible mindset and just 'go with the flow'. I don't want to give you the idea that that means we have been sitting around....Our first two weeks have been a flury of tours, trips, presentations, lunches, dinners, meetings, etc...We have been able to experience Africa the way everyone should. Staying with locals has given us insight into what it means to me a middle class Ugandan. Folks here work very hard, with very little, for very little, and yet enjoy a high quality of life. That may sound strange, and maybe it is a little hard to explain.

We just left Jinga, the source of the Nile, and have now arrived in Addis. Was good to experience a more rural part of Uganda. My host 'dad' (John) helped start the Lords Mead school which we toured upon arrival. We visited the different dorms, classrooms, and tasted the local fare. They prepare two meals a day for the 700+ kids that are there. We were also able to listen to some very moving testimony from former child soldiers from the LRA (Lords Resistance Army). The LRA has been battling with the Ugandan govn't for 20+ years and it has taken it's toll on the north. Upon arriving to my host home, found that besides starting a school, John also has taken in a number of boys - kind of like an unofficial orphanage. One of these boys was also a former LRA soldier, who has lost a leg. Although his English was lacking, we communicated with smiles, and he and the others all seem to have great attitudes. This is impressive considering what many of them have gone through. I was also able to get my dog 'fix', since since John also seems to adopt animals. He had 6 dogs, and the garage has been converted into a Chicken Coop. It doesn't pay to be a light sleeper here in Africa.

Perhaps the funniest moment thus far was during our last evening in Jinga. The Rotary Club had prepared a very nice send off for us on the grounds of a new hotel. After we loaded up our plates with Matoke, Iris, Posho, and some other local favorites, we settled in for some speeches. Introductions here sometimes are synonymous with a speech. One seemingly shy Pakistani gentleman stoop up to the mic. After clearing his throat a few times and looking around, he broke into an old fashioned American style 'beat-box' that would have turned heads from some of the best rappers. Probably the longest I've laughed in a while. The Ugandans, and others that live here DO have a good sense of humor and good sense about life. Even when verbal communication lacks, you always know you can send a message with a smile.


Hope to have some pictures up soon and sorry I have missed the seismic excitement.

Greg